Cavenders Boots
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday
The key ingredient to success on the Professional Bullfighters Daisy Protection Bullfight Tour is being aggressive.
That, alone, might be the reason Jay Brewer of Graham, Texas, and Steve Wangler of Plainview, Neb., are the No. 1 tandem heading into the tour’s world championships, set for Jan. 2-3 and 7-10 during the SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo at the Ector County Coliseum in Odessa, Texas.
The closer a bullfighter gets to the action, getting his hands on the animals, diverting them away from the fallen riders, the better in the competition based on how well these cowboys do their jobs. Wangler and Brewer get more grabs, help cowboys avoid hookings and control the animals as well or better than anyone in the association.
“You’ve got to have just a natural communication with the guy you’re working with,” said Brewer, who found bullfighting while growing up in the shadow of his bull-riding father, Phil.
Wangler and Brewer carry a 15-point lead into the championship over Andy Burelle of Ardmore, Okla., and Dusty Tuckness of Meeteetse, Wyo. The team with the most points at the conclusion of the finals will be crowned the 2008 champion.
Brewer got his start in bullfighting as a youngster, going to rodeos to watch his father compete, then visiting with anyone and everyone behind the scenes. It didn’t take much to turn the bull rider’s son into a bullfighter. He’s also quite a competitor.
“I love the competition aspect of the PBF,” Brewer said. “I believe I’m a competitor, and this really brings it out in me.”
Wangler went to a bullfighting school after testing the waters in a practice pen. Now he’s an eight-year veteran and one of the most respected cowboys in the sport.
“I use the protection bullfights as a measuring stick to see where I am compared to others,” Wangler said.